Which term describes inert substances added to a drug to aid dosing?

• A. Dose
• B. Strength
• C. Legend drug
• D. Excipient

Answer: (D)

In pharmacology, excipients are inactive ingredients added to a medication to help with formulation and dosing. They provide bulk so the dose can be measured accurately, aid tablet formation and compression, improve mixing for uniform distribution of the active ingredient, and sometimes make the medicine easier to swallow. They don’t have therapeutic effects themselves, though some people may have allergies or intolerances to certain excipients.

The other terms describe different aspects: the dose is how much of the active ingredient is given; strength refers to the amount of active drug per unit, indicating potency; a legend drug is simply a prescription-only medication. Because the question is about inert substances that assist in delivering or measuring the drug rather than the drug’s active effect, the term excipient fits best.